Separatist group hopes to make William, Kate's Quebec visit 'as disagreeable as possible'

QUEBEC — The Liberal government of Premier Jean Charest plans to welcome Prince William, second in line to succeed Elizabeth II as Canada’s head of state, and his wife Kate, when they visit Montreal and Quebec City in July. But the Réseau de résistance du Québécois, a militant separatist group, is planning to demonstrate in Quebec City with the goal of making the visit of William and Kate — the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge — “as disagreeable as possible.”

RRQ spokesman Julien Gaudreau said the group plans a peaceful protest, avoiding a repeat of the violent confrontations in 1964, when Quebec City police battled with separatist demonstrators during a visit by Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip.

Mr. Gaudreau added that a majority of Quebecers oppose the monarchy and the group would have no objections to a private visit by the couple, but there is a clear intention by authorities to promote the monarchy, he said. In a news release, the RRQ recalled its demonstration against the 2009 visit to Montreal by William’s father, Prince Charles, when one person was arrested after delaying the arrival of Charles and his wife Camilla at the Black Watch armoury by about 45 minutes. Quebec will pay part of the costs of this royal visit, without disclosing the amount. “But I think we should do things properly in the circumstances,” Deputy Premier Nathalie Normandeau said on Monday. “They are, nevertheless, members of the Royal Family whom we are receiving,” Mr. Normandeau added.

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“And I think Quebec can do things properly.” Louise Beaudoin, the Parti Quebecois international relations critic, maintained Monday that Quebec should not spend one cent on the royal visit, noting that William and Kate “have the means to pay their own way.”